The Saudi stock market fell as much as 7 percent in early trade on Sunday, one of the first signs of economic pain Riyadh could suffer over the affair.

Already, worldwide business leaders are pulling out of the kingdom's upcoming investment forum, a high-profile event known as "Davos in the Desert", and the sell-off on Riyadh's Tadawul stock exchange showed that investors are uneasy.

"Been hearing the ridiculous "rogue killers" theory was where the Saudis would go with this", Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said on Twitter.

Turkish officials suspect that Khashoggi, who hasn't been seen since entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last week, was murdered by Saudi agents.

"The Kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures, or repeating false accusations that will not undermine the Kingdom and its staunch positions and Arab, Islamic and global status, the outcome of these weak endeavours, like their predecessors, is a demise", the country's press agency said, citing an "official source".

The statement did not elaborate.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the UAE's unequivocal stance with Saudi Arabia in whatever policies it sets and tremendous efforts it exerts to counter the various risks and threats besetting the worldwide community, particularly extremism and terrorism.

Rubio declined to rule out a halt to the arms sales, stressing that the USA must send a message to repressive governments worldwide, from Russian Federation to Syria and China. "The truth is that if Washington imposes sanctions on Riyadh, it will stab its own economy to death, even though it thinks that it is stabbing only Riyadh!" he wrote.

The Saudi Embassy in Washington later tweeted what it called a clarification, thanking countries including the United States "for refraining from jumping to conclusions" over the case.

The UAE has affirmed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia against all attempts to undermine its regional stature and fundamental role in establishing regional peace and security, said a senior UAE government official. Turkey said Erdogan "stressed forming a joint working group to probe the case".

But he has said repeatedly that he does not want to halt a proposed $110 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia - as some in Congress have said he should - because it would harm the USA economically.

Comments

Latest Posts

Storm Callum: Roads closed and hundreds without power
But it is set to escape the worst of Storm Callum, remaining "quite dry" and with temperatures up to 24C (75F). Wind speeds hit 76mph on the Isles of Scilly as Storm Callum blew in during the early hours of Friday.

Los Angeles Celebrates First-Ever Indigenous Peoples Day
Among the collection is a 10-minute bit-complete with a rousing musical number-on Christopher Columbus "discovering America". But this year , the capital city's offices will remain open, and instead close on Veterans Day , which falls on November 12.

Huawei launches Mate 20 Pro with supersize 2K+ OLED screen
One is a 16MP ultra-wide angle 17mm lens, another is a 12MP wide-angle 27mm lens and the third is an 8MP 2x telephoto 52mm lens. Other odds and ends include an IP53 dust and water resistance rating, 40MP cameras, and a fingerprint sensor on the back.

Scarlett Johansson to get $15 million for Black Widow film
A Marvel spokesperson says the company "disputes the accuracy of these numbers", but it never publicly discloses salaries. Disney also lists Incredibles 2 - another box office behemoth - as the third film they will be pushing for the Oscars.

Here's Why Selena Gomez Was Reportedly Hospitalized
The news outlet says the "downward emotional spiral" Gomez experienced now has led her to receive dialectical behavior therapy . According to TMZ Selena was admitted into the treatment facility to treat ongoing issues related to anxiety and depression .

Putin ‘probably’ an assassin, says Trump
Trump told Stahl that he trusts North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but also warned, "That doesn't mean I can't be proven wrong". I was getting to know countries. "I know these things", he said. "Look, let it be whatever it is".

Pippa Middleton welcomes baby boy
Despite being nine months pregnant, she slipped into a chic pair of heels, topping off the look with a wide-brimmed green hat. The Duchess of Cambridge has become an aunt after her sister, Pippa Matthews, gave birth to a baby boy on Monday, 15 October.